CT Day 32: San Juans to the LaPlata Mountains

Daily Miles: 26.9, Total Miles: 463.5

On the trail my 6:30am with just enough light to see the trail.

All day in the San Juan National Forest with first a climb to Blackhawk Pass at just under 12,000 ft. In and out of a few heavily forested drainages then stayed high on the ridges. Great views to the east looking down on Hermosa Creek Wilderness and south to the La Platas.

Late in the day, I eventually reached the La Plata Mountains climbing again to a 12k ridge. I was above treeline with Bear Creek drainage to the west rising up to Sharkstooth Peak.

I came down off the ridge on a steep descent to Taylor Lake, a pretty alpine lake. Set up camp on the outflow stream, the headwaters of the La Plata River, just before sunset.

An extra ibuprofen for my marathon and my very sore feet tonight.